CIRCULAR, ) "WAR DEPARTMENT,
\ Adjutant General's Office,
No. 11. ) Washington, January 26, 1864.
The following instructions from the Secretary of War are furnished
for your information and guidance :
The authority heretofore given to Military Commanders to order the
discharge of enlisted men for disability is hereby revoked, and here-
after-all discharges of Eegulars, (except rejected recruits, whose cases
are forwarded to this office,) and all discharges of Volunteers, except
recruits rejected at the muster-in, (who are discharged by the Muster-
ing Officer, and called "rejected recruits,") will be given only on the
order of the Commanding Officer of the Corps or Department in which
the man may be serving at the time of discharge. This will not he
understood to confer upon Corps or Department Commanders authority
to grant discharges to enlisted men, except by Orders from the War
Department, to accept promotion, or expiration of term of service, for
disability, or by sentence of a General Court Martial. Officers and
soldiers of the Volunteer force, discharged on expiration of term of
service, should be mustered out of service by the Commissary or Assist-
ant Commissary of Musters for their command.
I have the honor to be, sir,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
E. D. TOAVNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Official:
Assistant Adjutant General.